Witcher: Sovereign of Magic

Geralt rode towards Crow's Perch, the image of Ciri's frightened face burned into his memory. He knew Uma was the key, the thread connecting him to her disappearance. He needed to get the creature to Kaer Morhen, to Yennefer, to anyone who could unravel the mystery surrounding him. The wind whipped at his cloak, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant rain – a stark contrast to the storm raging within him.

He found Sergeant Ardal at Crow's Perch, predictably surly and uncooperative. The sergeant leaned against a rickety table, polishing a dented tankard with a dirty rag. "I'm taking Uma," Geralt stated, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Ardal scoffed, a thick gob of spit landing uncomfortably close to Geralt's boots. "Uma? You think you can just take him? He's under the Baron's protection."

Geralt cut him off, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his silver sword. "He's connected to Ciri. And I'm not leaving without him. The Baron understands the stakes." He hadn't spoken to the Baron, of course, but Ardal didn't need to know that.

A flicker of fear crossed Ardal's face. He'd heard stories about Geralt. He knew better than to cross him, especially when the witcher's eyes held that cold, unwavering glint. "Fine," he grumbled, gesturing towards the stables with a jerk of his chin. "He's with the Stablemaster. But don't expect any help from me. That thing gives me the creeps."

The Stablemaster, a wiry man with nervous eyes and a perpetually twitching lip, proved less of a challenge. He was mucking out a stall when Geralt approached. A few well-chosen words from Geralt, and the promise of a few extra crowns for his trouble, and he readily surrendered Uma. The creature, as unsettling as ever, sat quietly in his cage, seemingly oblivious to the world around him. Its large, oddly intelligent eyes stared blankly ahead, and a low, guttural moan occasionally escaped its throat.

With Uma's cage secured to Roach's saddle, Geralt began the journey to Kaer Morhen. He was impatient, eager to reach the keep and begin the process of unlocking Uma's secrets. But fate, as it often did, had other plans.

Before he reached the familiar mountain path, a contingent of Nilfgaardian soldiers blocked his way. Their captain, a stern-faced man with a meticulously groomed mustache, approached Geralt. "Geralt of Rivia," he announced, his voice crisp and authoritative. "Emperor Emhyr wishes to see you. Immediately."

Geralt sighed. He had known this was coming. Emhyr was too invested in Ciri's fate to simply let him take Uma without a word. "And if I refuse?" Geralt asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.

The captain's lips thinned. "Then we will escort you… less willingly."

Geralt conceded. He was in no mood for a fight, especially not with a whole troop of Nilfgaardians. He was escorted to Vizima, the grand capital of the Nilfgaardian Empire. The palace, a monument to wealth and power, felt cold and impersonal. Marble floors echoed with the sound of his boots, and the air hummed with hushed whispers and unseen eyes. He was led to the audience chamber, where Emhyr sat on his throne, his expression unreadable. Yennefer stood beside him, her presence a surprising but welcome sight. She offered a small, almost imperceptible nod.

"Geralt of Rivia," Emhyr began, his voice smooth but edged with steel. "I understand you have returned from Skellige. I trust your search for Ciri has yielded some results."

"It has," Geralt confirmed. "We've learned she was on Hindarsfjall. She escaped the Wild Hunt, but…"

"But?" Emhyr prompted, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Something… unusual happened," Geralt continued. "A creature appeared. A… monstrous infant. The descriptions match someone I encountered before. Uma."

Emhyr frowned. "Uma? I'm not familiar with this individual."

Yennefer stepped forward. "Your Majesty," she interjected, her voice calm and measured. "Geralt believes this creature is connected to Ciri's disappearance. He was at Crow's Perch."

Emhyr's gaze shifted to Yennefer, then back to Geralt. "You took him?"

"He's vital to finding Ciri," Geralt said evenly.

Emhyr considered this, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Vital how?"

Geralt recounted his findings in Skellige, the tale of Ciri's escape, and the appearance of the monstrous infant. He spoke of the connection to Uma, the undeniable link between the creature and the events surrounding Ciri's disappearance. He carefully avoided mentioning the details of the visions, the magic used at Freya's Garden. He gave Emhyr just enough information to pique his interest, to make him understand that Uma might be crucial to finding Ciri, without revealing too much.

Emhyr listened intently, his expression betraying nothing. When Geralt finished, he was silent for a long moment. Then, he nodded slowly.

"Very well, Geralt," he said. "You may take him. But you will keep me informed of your progress. I expect to know everything you discover about Ciri, about Uma, about… everything."

"And what do I receive in return for my… cooperation?" Geralt asked, his voice even. He wouldn't play Emhyr's game without knowing the stakes.

"Four thousand crowns," Emhyr said. "Half of what I promised for Ciri's safe return. The rest… depends on what you discover. And whether it benefits my interests."

Geralt accepted the pouch, his eyes meeting Emhyr's. He knew this was a bargain. A dangerous one. But he had no choice. Ciri's fate, and perhaps his own, depended on it.

After the audience, Geralt gave the phylactery to Yennefer in a private chamber. "This is for you," he said. "It might help with Ciri. It might help explain… everything."

Yennefer took the phylactery, her expression softening. She examined the intricate carvings on the small, obsidian-like object. "Thank you, Geralt. I'll see what I can discern from it."

Geralt, with Uma in his cage, finally resumed his journey to Kaer Morhen. The journey was uneventful, save for the constant, unsettling moans emanating from Uma's cage.